A significant shortage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas, has disrupted availability in Lagos and several other Nigerian states.
Investigation has revealed that Katsina, Sokoto, Delta, Kaduna, and Kano have also been adversely affected.
The price of cooking gas has been on the rise in the past month due to a broad-based scarcity that limited access to the commodity.
In October, gas terminal proprietors increased prices by around 66% to push the cost of 20 metric tons from N10 million to N16 million.
As a result, the cost of a 12.5kg cooking gas cylinder is now between N13,500 and N14,000 on the black market as gas plant operators are reportedly selling the product to traders for N1100 to N1200 per kilogram.
This was around N8,700 in June when the commodity was readily available across the nation.
Marketers have underlined the legitimacy of their foreign exchange (FX) transactions and have called upon relevant authorities to scrutinize any suspected wrongdoing.
Residents have pointed out the exceptional price hikes and the reduced longevity of gas within cylinders, expressing concerns about gas quality and durability.
Diverse Impacts Across States and Communities
While gas availability was reported in Kwara, scarcity and unaffordable prices have plagued other regions. Concerns have been raised about the declining quality of the gas supplied.
The ongoing discrepancies between terminal owners and regulatory authorities underscore the persisting issue of rising gas prices, which many fear will further burden the already struggling population if not urgently addressed.